Thinking about buying a R230

[davidsl500]

The 129s are strange. Not as dynamically capable or as full of toys but there's a certain 'feel' a 129 has that's missing from the 230. The 230 is just a little bit sterile by comparison if you know what I mean.
The 119 engine is also a very different beast to the 113. Technically the torque comes in higher in the rev range but driving it feels the opposite. The 119 also pulls like a schoolboy all the way to redline - probably a lot to do with variable valve timing and 4 valves per cylinder (neither of which is present in the 113).

My old R129 500 on a private road naturally...

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If I were looking this is where my money would go....

 

[Thomas Gardiner]

If I were looking this is where my money would go....

Very nice car. Very professional looking garage which I like. I'm a great believer in 'you get what you pay for'. Not totally ruled out a 500. A couple of cars have caught my eye in reputable garages. The SL shop have a 2006 SL https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/2006-mercedes-benz-sl350-r230-2161 and peter vardy heritage a 500 https://www.petervardy.com/item/140546/MERCEDES-BENZ/SL-SERIES-CONVERTIBLE.html . Sorry if these links don't work, not very tech or forum savvy, all new to me this social media chat! I know they've both got dark interiors but could be swayed. Would appreciate any thoughts on these cars.

 

[Blobcat]

Very nice car. Very professional looking garage which I like. I'm a great believer in 'you get what you pay for'. Not totally ruled out a 500. A couple of cars have caught my eye in reputable garages. The SL shop have a 2006 SL https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/2006-mercedes-benz-sl350-r230-2161 and peter vardy heritage a 500 https://www.petervardy.com/item/140546/MERCEDES-BENZ/SL-SERIES-CONVERTIBLE.html . Sorry if these links don't work, not very tech or forum savvy, all new to me this social media chat! I know they've both got dark interiors but could be swayed. Would appreciate any thoughts on these cars.

I’d take the 350 over the 500 from those 2

 

[LostKiwi]

That Peter Vardy car is seriously over priced.
Both those 500s are pre 2004 so will have the early Comand system.

 

[Thomas Gardiner]

I’d take the 350 over the 500 from those 2

Quite keen on the sl shop 350, think I'll get in touch for more info from them. Appreciate your opinion.

 

[Wighty]

I think depending on how you drive , how much you drive , whether or not it’s your main car , how much budget you have as well as spare money for ABC issues (£ thousands ) will be the deciding factor between the 350 and 500 (sorry lot of comma’s )
Watch out that a few 350’s do have ABC

 

[LostKiwi]

I think depending on how you drive , how much you drive , whether or not it’s your main car , how much budget you have as well as spare money for ABC issues (£ thousands ) will be the deciding factor between the 350 and 500 (sorry lot of comma’s )
Watch out that a few 350’s do have ABC

Easy to identify.
On the horseshoe of switches behind the gear selector the end left and right switch positions will be blanks for non ABC.

 

[Wighty]

Easy to identify.
On the horseshoe of switches behind the gear selector the end left and right switch positions will be blanks for non ABC.

That’s good to know , cheers buddy

 

[00slk]

That Peter Vardy car is seriously over priced.
Both those 500s are pre 2004 so will have the early Comand system.

Say that again Alistair, especially when ours is 05 and half that price

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Very nice car. Very professional looking garage which I like. I'm a great believer in 'you get what you pay for'. Not totally ruled out a 500. A couple of cars have caught my eye in reputable garages. The SL shop have a 2006 SL https://www.theslshop.com/showroom/2006-mercedes-benz-sl350-r230-2161 and peter vardy heritage a 500 https://www.petervardy.com/item/140546/MERCEDES-BENZ/SL-SERIES-CONVERTIBLE.html . Sorry if these links don't work, not very tech or forum savvy, all new to me this social media chat! I know they've both got dark interiors but could be swayed. Would appreciate any thoughts on these cars.

Judging by the rest of the cars on show at Harbour Cars I’m taking an educated guess that the SL500 has an immaculate history - as said you get what you pay for - everything about that car shouts it’s right including mileage. One thing in your favour is that there are plenty out there but countered by the fact there are very few really good ones. Three things to remember with these cars, history, history and history

 

[flowrider]

The Peter Vardy car is seriously under spec'ed.

No parktronic, BOSE, wood steering wheel, wood trim, AMG bodykit, cooled seats, massage seats, distronic, or panoramic roof all desirable options. For the money its poorly spec'ed.

 

[LostKiwi]

This one looks better than the Vardy one.
Lower miles, newer, parktronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802123660335?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2004&maximum-mileage=60000&price-to=10000&postcode=nn110xp&model=SL CLASS&page=2&price-from=5000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

Or a real garage queen (pity no pics):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...d=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

 

[Thomas Gardiner]

Balancer shaft issues do not effect the 3.7 engine, just the 3.5. The 3.5 can also suffer from auto box issues. Midway through 2004 the 3.7 had a minor facelift which effected the nav screen, became larger plus other things which don't come to mind.

I've always been a V8 man but I do not find the 3.7 V6 lacking in the least. I used it to drive to Corfu a couple of years ago and it's a superb drive, as any GT cruiser would be. I did it about 12 years ago in a 911 Cab so I can make the comparison. I'm somewhat older now so maybe that jaundices my decision that these days, the SL, would be my choice, for intercontinental touring.

This one looks better than the Vardy one.
Lower miles, newer, parktronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802123660335?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2004&maximum-mileage=60000&price-to=10000&postcode=nn110xp&model=SL CLASS&page=2&price-from=5000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

Or a real garage queen (pity no pics):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908101006467?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2004&maximum-mileage=60000&price-to=10000&postcode=nn110xp&model=SL CLASS&page=3&price-from=5000&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

A 500 is very very tempting and it does look as though there are more cherished 500 models than 3.7 models. Both cracking cars, but, it's that suspension devil in the back of my mind. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but, am I correct in thinking a low mileage, properly looked after car probably won't give me horrific suspension bills, or are there cases where the car couldn't have been better cared for and there are still problems. Really struggling to get my head around why mercedes would put such a problematic system on a vehicle. I don't mind paying to properly maintain a car, but definitely not if could still happen anyway and I'm in the hands of lady luck. Still swaying toward a 3.7 with updated command system.

 

[Blobcat]

A 500 is very very tempting and it does look as though there are more cherished 500 models than 3.7 models. Both cracking cars, but, it's that suspension devil in the back of my mind. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but, am I correct in thinking a low mileage, properly looked after car probably won't give me horrific suspension bills, or are there cases where the car couldn't have been better cared for and there are still problems. Really struggling to get my head around why mercedes would put such a problematic system on a vehicle. I don't mind paying to properly maintain a car, but definitely not if could still happen anyway and I'm in the hands of lady luck. Still swaying toward a 3.7 with updated command system.

When it works the ABC system is wonderful, keeps the car flat the pint the bends and it floats even with big alloys. It just requires maintenance and can have a few expensive problems.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I thought this was an interesting review, the only issue not mentioned was boot seal leaks but pretty clued up on most other issues. If I bought a low miles SL500 I’d certainly have the ABC hydraulics flushed regularly. The sales guy does go on a bit as they do but stick with it for the soundtrack when he takes the car out.

 

[LostKiwi]

ABC is a fantastic system which gives a plush ride with phenomenal grip and an almost complete absence of body roll and pitch.
It's fundamentally a development of the Citroen oleo-pneumatic first seen on the Citroen DS. That system is fully hydraulic whereas the Mercedes development of it is computer controlled with sensors on each strut that detect rate of motion and sensors on each corner that detect ride height. These sensors then control two valve blocks that control the pressure at each strut and the rate of fluid transfer to control damping. The system is pressure fed with oil from an hydraulic pump incorporated in the power steering pump but desperate from it (hydraulically speaking). The pressure in the system is around 200 bar.
Because there are very fine tolerances in the hydraulic components it is very reliant on proper maintenance and this can be the problem. Hydraulic oil and the filter should be changed every 2 years. This can mean that low mileage cars miss out on filter abd fluid changes 'because it's not been driven'.
Oil is very specific and must meet the correct MB standard. This can also be an issue.
Neglect is the single worst thing you can do with ABC.
Anyone buying an ABC equipped car should immediately change ABC oil and filter so they know it's been done and when it was done.
Costs to repair ABC used to be eye watering but lately prices have come down and several companies have introduced refurbished parts which has made a huge difference to repair costs.
One thing I would recommend to anyone buying an ABC car is to purchase a code reader that can read and reset error codes on ABC - something like an iCarsoft MB V2 or similar and keep it in the car.
What can fail?
Sensors can snap operating arms (but are cheap).
Pumps can fail (£500+ for parts).
Struts can fail (£500+ each)
Valve blocks can fail (£50+ for rebuild kits).
Accumulators can fail (£100 or so each - there are 4).
Fluid runs to about £10 per litre or more and there's a little over a litre in the system. It's also the same fluid used for power steering.
My own 230 has covered 109k miles and has had 3 x struts - one of them twice. It will likely need a left rear soon as it's misting (but has been for years).

Now the big question... Would I have another ABC equipped car?
Yes, but not if it was my only car as when it fails it can stop the car moving at all (if suspension drops the wheels go up into arches - never park an ABC car on full lock, always leave wheels straight ahead).

 

[Wighty]

The Peter Vardy car is seriously under spec'ed.

No parktronic, BOSE, wood steering wheel, wood trim, AMG bodykit, cooled seats, massage seats, distronic, or panoramic roof all desirable options. For the money its poorly spec'ed.

That is a scary new user pic buddy

 

[flowrider]

ABC is a fantastic system which gives a plush ride with phenomenal grip and an almost complete absence of body roll and pitch.
It's fundamentally a development of the Citroen oleo-pneumatic first seen on the Citroen DS. That system is fully hydraulic whereas the Mercedes development of it is computer controlled with sensors on each strut that detect rate of motion and sensors on each corner that detect ride height. These sensors then control two valve blocks that control the pressure at each strut and the rate of fluid transfer to control damping. The system is pressure fed with oil from an hydraulic pump incorporated in the power steering pump but desperate from it (hydraulically speaking). The pressure in the system is around 200 bar.
Because there are very fine tolerances in the hydraulic components it is very reliant on proper maintenance and this can be the problem. Hydraulic oil and the filter should be changed every 2 years. This can mean that low mileage cars miss out on filter abd fluid changes 'because it's not been driven'.
Oil is very specific and must meet the correct MB standard. This can also be an issue.
Neglect is the single worst thing you can do with ABC.
Anyone buying an ABC equipped car should immediately change ABC oil and filter so they know it's been done and when it was done.
Costs to repair ABC used to be eye watering but lately prices have come down and several companies have introduced refurbished parts which has made a huge difference to repair costs.
One thing I would recommend to anyone buying an ABC car is to purchase a code reader that can read and reset error codes on ABC - something like an iCarsoft MB V2 or similar and keep it in the car.
What can fail?
Sensors can snap operating arms (but are cheap).
Pumps can fail (£500+ for parts).
Struts can fail (£500+ each)
Valve blocks can fail (£50+ for rebuild kits).
Accumulators can fail (£100 or so each - there are 4).
Fluid runs to about £10 per litre or more and there's a little over a litre in the system. It's also the same fluid used for power steering.
My own 230 has covered 109k miles and has had 3 x struts - one of them twice. It will likely need a left rear soon as it's misting (but has been for years).

Now the big question... Would I have another ABC equipped car?
Yes, but not if it was my only car as when it fails it can stop the car moving at all (if suspension drops the wheels go up into arches - never park an ABC car on full lock, always leave wheels straight ahead).

My local indy is very experienced with ABC and did the ABC flush on my car in 2017. When I spoke to him about flushing the ABC again in 2019 and then again this year his advice was that it was not needed as the car has only covered 3.5k miles. The ABC fluid in my car is still the same colour green as when it went in.

 

[flowrider]

That is a scary new user pic buddy

I agree, I changed it